India Refuses To Send Troops To Iraq

India is refusing to send troops to Iraq even if there is a new UN resolution. Earlier when the Americans pressed New Delhi, the Indian government had begged off on grounds that it needed a Security Council resolution authorizing such a move. Now that a UNSC resolution seems attainable, India is backing off altogether. The Iraq War was enormously unpopular with the Indian public, so the government has to be careful about getting involved. Likewise, the recent bombing in Bombay was intended to send a signal to New Delhi that if it sent troops to Iraq, there would be more such domestic violence in protest.

See

http://www.hindustantimes.com/

news/181_372145,0008.htm

Meanwhile, United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Christina Rocca, called on India to make up with Pakistan and render assistance in helping Pakistan become a genuine Muslim democracy. Rocca is in New Delhi for consultations.